Other Formats

Product Description

Every day we are confronted by challenging societal problems, from poverty and institutional racism to AIDS and homelessness. It can all seem so overwhelming. But while none of us can do everything, all of us can do something. This handbook will help you discover what you can do. Mae Elise anon provides a comprehensive resource for Christians committed to social justice. She presents biblical rationale for justice and explains a variety of Christian approaches to doing justice. Tracing the history of Christians in soil engagement, she lifts out role models and examples from the Great Awakenings to the civil rights movement. A wide-ranging catalog of topics gives background information about justice issues at home.

Publisher's Description

2010 Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year award winner: justice category Every day we are confronted by challenging societal problems, from poverty and institutional racism to AIDS and homelessness. It can all seem so overwhelming. But while none of us can do everything, all of us can do something. This handbook will help you discover what you can do. Mae Elise Cannon provides a comprehensive resource for Christians like you who are committed to social justice. She presents biblical rationale for justice and explains a variety of Christian approaches to doing justice. Tracing the history of Christians in social engagement, she lifts out role models and examples from the Great Awakenings to the civil rights movement. A wide-ranging catalog of topics and issues give background info about justice issues at home and abroad, such as

sex trafficking

domestic violence

living wage initiatives

debt relief

environmental stewardship

bioethics

and much, much more

This handbook includes dozens of practical exercises for taking action, as well as profiles of key figures and movements like William Wilberforce, the Salvation Army and Bono, highlighting how Christians and churches can make a difference. Also included are spiritual practices and resources to help us move from immobility to advocacy. God has always worked through his people to accomplish improbable tasks, and he can use you too. This handbook will be an essential companion for living justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with your God.

Author Bio

Mae Elise Cannon serves as senior director of advocacy and outreach - Middle East for World Vision USA. She is a minister, writer and academic who cares deeply about God's heart for the poor and the oppressed. She is the author of (IVP, 2009) and (IVP, 2013). Cannon is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), was formerly the executive pastor of Hillside Covenant Church in Walnut Creek, California, and has served as director of development and transformation for extension ministries at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois. Prior to joining World Vision, Mae lived in East Jerusalem and served as a consultant to the Middle East for child advocacy issues for Compassion International. Cannon holds an M.Div. From North Park Theological Seminary, an M.B.A. from North Park University's School of Business and Nonprofit Management, and an M.A. in bioethics from Trinity International University. She is now a doctoral candidate in American History with a minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California - Davis, focusing her dissertation on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine.
John Perkins, the son of a sharecropper, grew up in Mississippi amid dire poverty and rampant racism. Though he had fled to California after his older brother was murdered by a town marshal, he returned after his conversion to Christ in 1960 to share the gospel with his community. His leadership of civil rights demonstrations earned him repeated harassment, beatings and imprisonment. However, in recent years Perkins has received recognition for his work with seven honorary doctorates from Wheaton College, Gordon College, Huntington College, Geneva College, Spring Arbor College, North Park College and Belhaven College. He continues to speak and teach around the world on issues of racial reconciliation, leadership and community development. Perkins is the founder of Voice of Calvary Ministries in Mendenhall, Mississippi, Harambee Ministries in Pasadena, California, and the Christian Community Development Association. His books include and

Editorial Reviews

"The Social Justice Handbook serves as a veritable global, ecclesial terminal, a launching-off point to the myriad ways that the shalom of Christ has gloriously broken forth in and through his rebellious and needy creation. Mae Cannon does this with the unequivocal passion of one who cares deeply about what the church is called to be. Through the Handbook, Cannon generously offers Christians tangible points of access to taste, and enter into, what God is doing in his world."
"'The LORD . . . was displeased that there was no justice. . . . He was appalled that there was no one to intervene' (Isaiah 59:15-16). Churches have engaged in evangelism, teaching and compassion for years, while we have sat on the sidelines of justice. Mae moves us . . . from feet that are frozen to walking, from a framework to a path, and from inspiration to hard work and action. This is the most comprehensive and compelling work I've read on justice. This book has the potential to make our churches into the unstoppable forces God intended them to be, with justice for all."
" Social Justice Handbook is a long overdue work. Despite the resurgence of interest in justice by many churches, there has been a noticeable lack of available resources on this topic. Mae Cannon gives us the biblical framework that can spur churches to action as well as giving us practical tips and real-life models and examples of how justice can be lived out in our world. For any individual, Christian fellowship or church wanting to grow in the area of biblical social justice, this is the book you want to get."
"This is a cookbook for plotting goodness and stirring up holy mischief. Take a look and find a recipe for revolution. Then let us take it to the streets--interrupting injustice with grace, surprising the world with joy and whispering God's love to a broken world."
"Mae Cannon's passion, compassion and theological strength of calling as an advocate for the 'least of these' leaps off of every page of the Social Justice Handbook. This book informs the average follower of Christ and the Christian leader alike to act as Jesus would in the face of injustice. Mae's call for action convicts us all to do something for Christ's sake. Every Christian needs this book within arm's reach."
"People often ask me for resources on what they can do about injustice in the world. Now I can point them to Mae Cannon's Social Justice Handbook. This guide is packed full of resources and ideas for following the God of justice both at home and around the globe."
"Jesus was about the justification of souls and justice for every soul and society. The church when at its best has been devoted to both. This is a hands-on book on how to understand issues of justice and tangible ways to pursue it through local churches. Thank you, Mae."
"The moment you open Social Justice Handbook, it will vibrate in your hands with the heart-passion that inspired its making, a passion generated by him who described his life-mission as bringing good news to the poor, release to captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed and the time of God's grace. This book will simply not allow all those great intentions to become lost in theory. It will take you by the hand and lead you step by step into their glorious implementation."
"Mae Cannon has done what many would deem impossible: she has developed a solid introduction to social justice rooted in Scripture, she has given churches concrete steps for becoming agents of social justice, and she has provided an amazingly comprehensive overview of justice-related issues that we face in our world today. And she has done so in a clear, readable, accessible style that people in your church will appreciate. Through her work and the work of many others like her, what seemed impossible even a few years ago may be happening soon--thousands of American churches growing beyond an 'it's all about me' spirituality to a more mature identity as communities of integral mission."
"In her new book, Social Justice Handbook, Mae Elise Cannon provides a comprehensive, historical overview of individuals and organizations that have effectively influenced others to take action on issues of social justice. There should be no question about the role and responsibility of the body of Christ to care for the poor and needy, as over two thousand Scripture references clearly indicate the heart of God and his mandate to us as believers. As well as providing the historical background of many life-changing causes, Cannon lists small steps that we can each take to actively live out our faith in tangible, practical ways as advocates for Christ and his work here on earth."
"This handbook will help you find your place in God's global work of social justice. . . . I pray that this book will give you ideas for living out God's call on your life in ways that are surprising and unexpected."
" Social Justice Handbook is more than a manual for public discipleship; it is a comprehensive account of Christian social conviction that reads like an apologetics of the faith. I am in awe of this book!"
" Social Justice Handbook is a highly valuable aid to every pastor and church leader. This book tells us how to get started on social justice causes and where to find the groups that support the causes we believe in."

Mae Elise Cannon's Social Justice Handbook is a book written to encourage and equip believers for taking part in social justice. The book is broken down into two parts: Foundations of Justice and Social Justice Issues. In part one of the book Cannon makes a theology of social Justice. Part two of the book applies this theology to particular injustices going on throughout the world. Cannon roots her argument for justice in the fact that God is just/good therefore we should be likewise. Cannon does not explain justice in light of, God restoring all things under Christ's headship, but as an implication of the fact that this is an attribute of God's character. Cannon's argument is God is just, therefore we should be just also.

Reflections

I wish that Cannon's theological argument for justice was better explained in light of the cross. There isn't a section in the book that explains the difference between the difference between Jews doing good works and Christians doing good works. Why is it that a Christian who is taking part in justice different from a Jew or a Mormon doing these same works? I think this issue is extremely important especially in light of the many moralists attending our churches. The modern western church is full of "Veggie-Tale Spirituality"( being a good person divorced from the cross). Scripture roots good works in the resurrected Christ and his Spirit, working through the life of the believer (e.g. Galatians 5:22-3, Eph 4, and Col 3). Although Cannon does not teach a Social Gospel some may find this to be an implication while reading her book. Good works are not the "root of the believer, but the fruit" as Piper explained at the previous T4G conference. I do think Cannon's book is an amazing tool for pastors and that it should be found upon their shelves. The church, not just individuals should be involved in justice. By taking part in social justice, the church demonstrates that God has defeated sin and is restoring all things back under the headship of Christ. Social justice is a reflection of this restoration that is taking place through the Spirit. Cannon's book offers some helpful tools in educating believers of the problems within the world. Cannon also gives helpful/practical advice how to get involved in bringing justice to the world. Whether that be through watching a movie (e.g. Amazing Grace) or feeding homeless people within the inner-city, Cannon has ideas for education/relief for over 30 different injustices going on across the street, around the world. I would highly recommend the book, as long as one keeps the cross in their foresight. I do not think that Cannon neglects the cross in her book, but I do not she makes this the theme or reason for good works.

Noble sentiments. The problem arises about how exactly to "force" other people to accommodate your beliefs in either numbers or degree to affect changes. To say that oneself should follow Christ's example is one thing. To say that someone else should, whether they choose to or not, is another matter...